Improvement in machines for making spikes



J. H. SWETT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SPIKES, &c.

Patented Dec. 26,1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

JAMES H. SWETT, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR MAKING SPIKES, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,652, dated December26, 1876; application filed November 9, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. SWETT, of Pittsburg, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Machines for Making Spikes, &c.; and that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the constructionand operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1represents the improved machine in perspective. Fig. 2 represents thesame in longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 represents an end view ofthe lower roll. Fig. 4

represents a side View of one of the rings used to operate in connectionwith the formingrolls.

Similar letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.

In making spikes with machines, one of the difficulties to be guardedagainst is the production of a fin at the sides near the point, or toprevent the point being wider than the spike. Many expensive andcomplicated machines have been made to operate with partial success inview of overcoming this defect.

The object of my invention is to produce a machine simple in its parts,and that will accomplish the desired result with certainty. For thispurpose two rolls are used. These rolls rotate in opposite directions,and are provided upon their periphery with the necessary dies, placed atsuitable distances apart to form the head or body and point of eachspike and as the metal of each spike is greatly compressed where thepoint is formed, it is important that the metal should be supported uponeach side of the spike to keep it from spreading.

My invention consists in .fifoviding the desired support by means of tworings, having internal gears, to be connected with one ofthe-forming-rolls by means of corresponding external gears formed uponsaid roll, so that they will rotate with it without slipping.

My invention consists, also, in giving to the portion of theforming-roll and supportingrings coming in contact or in gear with theother a beveled or conical form, so that the supporting-rings will havea tendency to diverge one from the other.

My invention consists, also, in providing for the side rings adjustablechilled blocks, connected with the frame to support the rings during theoperation, as will be described hereafter.

In the drawing, F represents the frame of the machine. It is made,preferably, in one piece, to add to the rigidity of its construction. Aand B are two rolls, mounted upon shafts a and b, passing throughbearings that can be regulated as to their distance apart by means ofthe adjusting-screws 0. Upon the end of the shaft or is mounted agear-wheel, d, that mesh-es with a gear-wheel, e, placed upon the shaftb, and thus the rolls A and B are rotated at the same speed, but inopposite directions. Each roll is formed with a ridge, a or b,projecting from its circumference, and of the same width as the spike itis intended to form. Projecting from said ridge, and at regulardistances apart, are dies a and b, so placed and beveled upon one rollin relation to the other, as to form the point of each spike andseparate one from the other. On each side of the ridge b is placed uponthe roll B an internal geared ring, (1, that meshes with a correspondingexternal gear, b formed on or attached to the roll B. The interior faceof either ring 0 is beveled ofl", conical or sphero-conical, with thesmallest opening outward, and the roll B is formed in a nearlycorresponding manner, beveled off from the central ridge b, so that eachring 0 will have a tendency to separate from the roll; but as it isdesired to support the metal of the spike sidewise while it is passingbetween the forming-rolls A and B, the rings 0 are kept in contact withthe ridges a and b by chilled blocks h, mounted upon bearings f,attached to the vertical sides of the frame F. The blocks h can beadjusted in relation to the rings 0 by set-screws g and retaining-screws9, so as to compensate for any wear of the parts. The

lower portion of the rings is kept from spreading too far apart by thestationary grooved block F attached to the frame of the machine. In thismanner I secure a free opening for the admission of every new spike-rod,a positive and long bearing for the sides of the spike while it isformed between the rolls, and a free delivery on the rear of themachine. If desired, the location of the rolls may be reversed and therings 0 and roll B be placed above the corresponding roll A. The gearsformed within the rings (3 and upon the roll B, may, in some cases, bedispensed with, and fricti n of the parts only be used, the blocks Itbeing replaced by friction-rollers, but I found by experience that oneof the rings is liable to slip more than the other and produce spikesthat are slightly bent. By changing the dies of the forming-rolls andthe interior face of the rings 0, the machine can be used for makinghorseshoe blanks, nails, bolts. screw-banks, &c.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. Incombination with the forming-rolls of a machine for making spikes, &c.,and the gears attached or formed upon each side of one of said rolls,the rings 0, provided with internal gears, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

2. The forming-roll B, beveled ofi, in combination with the rings 0,having conical interior, in virtue of which said rings diverge from theforming-roll unless retained in the manner substantially as described.

3. In combination with the forming-rolls A B, rings 0, and the frame ofa machine for making spikes, the adjustable chilled blocks h, to supportsaid rings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

J AMES H. SWETT. Witnesses:

E. E. MASSON, W. R. EDELEN.

